Kostas Jr. Gets Probation For Theft Of Drugs

December 05, 1985|The Morning Call

William Kostas Jr., who pleaded guilty to taking 58,543 doses of drugs from his father's Bethlehem pharmacy, was placed on probation and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service yesterday by Northampton County Judge Robert A. Freedberg.

Kostas appeared before the judge with his attorney, Thomas Houser, along with his parents and sister.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Pepper, who prosecuted the charges filed by agent Susan Bowers of the state Drug Enforcement Agency, said that there was no evidence that Kostas distributed the drugs, taken between May 1981 and April 1985. Kostas himself said when he pleaded guilty in August that he had taken all the drugs, valued at $12,594, for his personal consumption. He said his drug habit began when he suffered a back injury.

The drugs were all Schedule II drugs, including several types of narcotics.

Houser told the judge that although it was no excuse, his client's actions were taken "as a result of his addiction to drugs. He's accepting full responsibility. It is a very serious addiction. Hopefully his recovery will be as successful as his addiction was severe."

Kostas also told the judge that his father, who was originally charged, knew nothing of his acts. The drug charges against Kostas Sr. were dropped after the younger Kostas entered his plea.

Kostas, a college graduate who did graduate work in mortuary science, is now employed in construction work. He was also employed at Colonial House, the drug rehabilitation center where he underwent treatment.

Pepper said that Kostas had made "substantial progress" in fighting his addiction. "We've had nothing but glowing reports of his work with similarly addicted persons," Pepper said. He said the commonwealth would recommend that part of his sentence be that he share his experiences with others.

Judge Freedberg, referring to Kostas's pre-sentence report, noted that his ex-wife, from whom he was divorced in 1981, died as a result of a drug overdose.

"Drugs have taken a substantial toll on you and your family," the judge said. "You're in a position to do a lot of good in society" by relating his drug experiences to others, the judge added.